ABSTRACT
Support for joining the EEC was overwhelmingly strong in Ireland and moderately strong in Denmark. In Norway it fell short in a referendum precluding membership. For the Irish, EEC membership was part of the post de Valera economic and social modernisation of the country which began in the 1960s. Entry to the customs union would assist Irish exports as would the generous subsidies of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to improve farm incomes. Additionally, Ireland saw EEC membership as essential in attracting European structural fund aid to improve roads, railways and airports. Denmark had different reasons for joining. The farmers wished to retain their lucrative UK market so if the British joined Denmark should follow suit. Danish business was strongly in favour not least because of the growing trade with West Germany which helped boost Danish living standards. Norway proved to be the outlier. Despite strong support in Oslo and other cities the campaign to join lacked regional backing and was too thinly spread. The farmers and fishing communities were adamantly opposed. Oil had been discovered only recently offering a rosy economic future outside the EEC. Sovereignty and fear of political integration also played their part as Norway resolved to stay out.
